COLORADO SPRINGS – A group representing Colorado bar owners will appeal a decision by a federal judge that upheld a statewide ban on indoor smoking.
The 15-member board of the Coalition for Equal Rights voted Wednesday to appeal to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.
“Every bar, with the exception of those that are primarily restaurants, has suffered losses that range from 25 to 45 percent year-to-date,” board member Allen Campbell said.
“Were not giving up on anything,” Campbell said.
The ban took effect July 1. The coalition had filed a lawsuit claiming it unfairly applied to most bars and restaurants while exempting casinos, cigar bars, airport smoking lounges and private workplaces with three employees or fewer.
U.S. District Judge Lewis T. Babcock upheld the ban last week, ruling that lawmakers have the right to determine if smoking constitutes a public health risk and if exemptions should be granted.
